The Passerelle University Diploma enables non-native French speakers in exile to begin, continue or resume higher education in France.

The program offers intense instruction in the French language (10 to 12 hours a week of French as a foreign language). It also includes theme-based workshops where the language can be practiced (theater, discovery of French media, writing, etc.), university methods courses and support with specialization and applications (group workshops, regular individual meetings).

The small class sizes (max. 20 students per group) enable the supervising team (teachers, project managers) to monitor each student closely. At the start of the year each student is assigned a mentor (a volunteer Dauphine teacher to support the student in his/her retraining) and one or two “buddies” (volunteer Dauphine students to help the DU student adapt to life at Dauphine).

Aside from linguistic skills, the 6-month program enables students to acquire the cultural and academic skills needed to enroll and succeed in a university program. Students will learn skills including the following:

• Continue in the French higher education system
• Meet the demands of academic work in a university setting
• Take notes and write in French
• Speak publicly in French
• Participate in a working group
• Put together a college application (look for information, write a cover letter, and put together a CV)

Designed and accredited by the MEnS (Migrants in higher education) network, the Passerelle University Diploma has existed since 2020. It currently enrolls students at two different levels:

• “Advanced” level (B1 minimum when starting the DU), the aim of which is to obtain at least level B2 in the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), mastery of basic academic skills and direct entry into higher education following the program;
• “Beginner” level (<A2 when staring the DU), the aim of which is to obtain at least level B1, and continued study in a French higher education program (Passerelle University Diploma at a higher level or other program including French as a foreign language classes). Taking the “Beginner” DU at Dauphine does not guarantee admission to the “Advanced” DU the following year.